Edward Powell - 12-30-2009 at 10:26 AM
Does anyone know of a notation program which is very very simple, free, and reliable???
I want to learn LILYPOND, this seems great for my needs EXCEPT for one major factor... "transposition"!
you, see, now being back in Europe, I can not simply write my music out in Turkish tuning (where RAST is written as G), and then expect European
musicians to be able to read and transpose this. Also I will be writing music for Arab musicians and this will require again another transposition.
It seems that with LILYPOND, to transpose a whole piece would simply mean having to write the whole thing all over again.
What I like a FINALE is that transposing a whole piece up one or two whole-tones for example is easily possible with a couple of clicks.
But my crack version of FINALE is not working anymore, and I don't want to invest a lot of money into buying this software - especially since I really
don't need something so powerful... I am only writing single note lines and I can put in the quartertones by hand... i also do not really need a
playback option...
I am wondering if anyone knows of some very small and simple notation program that is free - and is capable of notating simple single note melodies,
and transposing complete pieces?
OR, is there some simple way of transposing complete pieces with LILYPOND?
I will need all of my compositions written in Turkish notation, Arab notation, and European notation! ---and I really would prefer only to have to
write the main score out just once.
THANKS!
adamgood - 12-30-2009 at 10:52 AM
Edward,
Yes transposing Makam music in Lilypond is messed up but guess what!?! I made the fix for it, it's very simple and from what I tested is working. And
I can send it to you via email or so. Let me know if you still need it ok?
And my plan is to get in touch with a developer to submit the short code and hopefully soon it will make it in.
Adam
Edward Powell - 12-30-2009 at 10:55 AM
GREAT!
Adam... I just noticed you are on-line on gmail, so I will try a chat with you there -
I'm desperate!! 
thanks!!
Microber - 12-30-2009 at 01:05 PM
Hi Edward,
You could try Harmony Assistant or Melody Assistant from Myriad. It's a french product. I am not a specialist but it seems to be very complete. And
very cheap : 85$ for HA.
You can download an evaluation version here.
http://www.myriad-online.com/en/products/index.htm
Robert
Edward Powell - 12-30-2009 at 01:18 PM
Thanks Rob
I just finished a long chat session with ADAM, and he has me convinced that LILYPOND will transpose with the new trick he has devised... this is
very good news for me.
I don't mind knuckling down to learn something comprehensive like LY, as long as I can transpose. It is also great that LY is free, non-crashable, and
totally stable! This is really what I am looking for...
I just wish someone else could do the tough learning work for me :-)
I will update as I progress with this. . . .
THANKS!
adamgood - 12-31-2009 at 12:45 AM
...also keep in mind that Lilypond has amazing support via its user base. There's an email list you can subscribe to where you can ask any question,
simple or complex. And it's all archived and searchable at the Lilypond website so chances are you'll already find your answer there.
Always feel free to ask me any questions!! At the very least I can help you to find the answer online or so.
Edward as soon as you are feeling comfy we can hook up the transposing fix!
Edward Powell - 12-31-2009 at 01:21 AM
All this sounds great!
...and pretty soon I am going to be a LILYPOND-TWEEKAHOLIC 
We are off to Praha for the year's end, then on Monday I am going to really dig in!
THANKS!
adamgood - 12-31-2009 at 03:24 AM
Edward Happy New Year and enjoy Prague, eat one of those doughy knedel dumpling things for me.
Looking forward to you digging into Lilypond so I'm not the only geek in the neighborhood
adam
Edward Powell - 1-2-2010 at 03:14 PM
just got back from a really nice time :-)
really glad you will let me peak over your shoulder bro!
I really gotta knuckle down and master this new skill........ my current plans are now to put together a really BIG group: The Ragmakam
Orchestra :-)
...so I really need good sheets!!!
talk soon!